The Importance of Stretching

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For years, I ran miles and beat my body up with HIIT workouts. I loved the intensity and still do sometimes, but I never stretched. I wouldn't say I liked stretching. I quite literally would rather run thirteen miles than stretch for twenty minutes. And to be frank, I did. I ran a half marathon with no stretching. How ridiculous and painful! But, don't take my errors as the blueprint. Stretching has become a significant part of my wellness and self-care routine and I have finally realized that the benefits are extensive. Let's see if I can convince you too!

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My Favorite Benefits From Daily Stretching:

Flexibility

My flexibility has improved so much from daily stretches, specifically my hamstrings. Considering how much time we spend sitting or exerting our muscles in workouts, they tend to get tight. It is critical to stretch those muscles out to maintain flexibility and loosen our joints. Flexibility is critical to improve our range of motion and ability to perform in future workouts performance. Also, it always feels great to be extra flexible.

Mobility and Injury Prevention

Daily stretching is shown to improve our mobility and injury prevention significantly. As a result of daily stretching for two months, I have improved my mobility greatly. Mobility is very important to me as I aim to refine my form in pilates and cycling workouts. I believe mobility is critical to long-term health and aging. If we want to stay healthy, we need to be mobile, and daily stretching is the best way to get there!

Mental Clarity

If you asked me a year ago to stretch for twenty minutes, I would have avoided it at all costs. I didn't like stretching mostly because it's that slow-burn type of pain. That type of pain was unbearable. However, one day I realized it was always going to hurt. You aren't going to reap the benefits of stretching without pain. Stretching physically hurts, but it has offered a lot of mental clarity for me. I slow down the end of my day by stretching out and setting myself up for a good night's sleep. It is slow, calming, and releases endorphins to keep me happy :) I recommend stretching before bed to help you relax, calm down, improve your mobility, and create the perfect mental headspace to end the evening.

Xoxo,

Everything I Want